Movie review - "The Last Samurai" (2004) ***

Decent epic done which after an awkward start (flashbacks too soon) gets into is stride and provides satisfactory spectacle. The Japanese setting gives it freshness and the battle scenes are well done. I thought Tom Cruise was miscast in the role - this sort of brooding tormented boozer seeking redemption stuff is better played by Russell Crowe or Brad Pitt; Crusiers only really good playing arrogant yuppies who seek redemption (his acting is fine but he doesn't get all that money to act, he gets it to be a movie star). Also the theme of the movie is a bit creepy - it seems to celebrate militarism, and our hero contributes to the rise in it following the Meiji Restoration.